The Practise of the Recollection of Buddha (Nian Fo)
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once again thank you all very much for sharing your wisdom and compassion.
namo amituofo... -
Originally posted by paperflower:
if one thinks there's enlightenment to go after then there's no enlightenment to be found.
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then one has not 'not found' the thinkerOriginally posted by paperflower:i ever pondered...
if one thinks...
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What is the 'thinker'? Isn't it just another thought?Originally posted by soemt:then one has not 'not found' the thinker -
thats my homework.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:What is the 'thinker'? Isn't it just another thought?
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This is your koan practise?Originally posted by soemt:thats my homework. -
Originally posted by soemt:then one has not 'not found' the thinker
excerpts from Chapter: Bodhisattva SamantabhadraOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:What is the 'thinker'? Isn't it just another thought?
(Sutra of Complete Enlightenment)
“Virtuous man, all illusory projections of sentient beings arise from the wondrous mind of the Tathagata’s Complete Enlightenment, just like flowers in the sky which come into existence from out of the sky. When the illusory flower vanishes, the nature of the sky is not marred. Likewise, the illusory mind of sentient beings relies on illusory [cultivation] for its extinction. When all illusions are extinguished, the enlightened mind remains unmoved. Speaking of enlightenment in contrast to illusion is itself an illusion. To say that enlightenment exists is to not have left illusion yet. [However], to say that enlightenment does not exist is also no different. Therefore, the extinction of illusion is called the unmoving [mind of enlightenment].
“Virtuous man, all bodhisattvas and sentient beings in the Dharma Ending Age should separate [themselves] from all illusory projections and deluded realms. [However], when one clings firmly to the mind that separates [from all illusory projections and deluded realms], this mind [should also be taken as] an illusion, and one should separate oneself from it. Because this separation is an illusion, it should also be separated. One should then be free from even this ‘separating from the illusion of separation!’ When there remains nothing to be seperated from, all illusions are eliminated. It is like rubbing two pieces of wood together to obtain fire. When the fire ignites and the wood completely burns, the ashes fly away and the smoke vanishes. Using illusion to remedy illusion is just like this. Yet even though illusions are exhausted, one does not enter annihilation. -
thank you for the pointers toward freedom.
AEN, no it is not my koan practise for i'm not familar with koans. -
I seeOriginally posted by soemt:thank you for the pointers toward freedom.
AEN, no it is not my koan practise for i'm not familar with koans.
Thoughts is, but there is no thinker. Absolutely no thinker can be found, only thoughts arising and passing at lightning speed.
So what causes the impression of a thinker, an observer or an agent? As longchen said, "...From deep meditative observation, the witness is realised to be just an impression that is caused by subtle knowingness and sequential observation. Moment to moment arises in lightning fast speed. The second moment got a subtle imprint of the recently preceded one. This sequential change causes the sense of Subtle Witnessing known as the Eternal Witness..."
Regarding the nondual nature of thoughts, or the nature of non-self in relation to thoughts, please read http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-JOCP/jc26559.htm. A little deep, but very clear on the subject and the author clearly has very high level of experience and awakening on this topic -
thanks for the wealth of info as always..)
i think i want to go try catching some thoughts and leave imagining reality form words.
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How can you catch them?Originally posted by soemt:thanks for the wealth of info as always..)
i think i want to go try catching some thoughts and leave imagining reality form words.
You can't
Because the moment the thought arise it has passed... -
soemt is a southern school , please refrain from using emptiness teachingOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:I see
Thoughts is, but there is no thinker. Absolutely no thinker can be found, only thoughts arising and passing at lightning speed.
So what causes the impression of a thinker, an observer or an agent? As longchen said, "...From deep meditative observation, the witness is realised to be just an impression that is caused by subtle knowingness and sequential observation. Moment to moment arises in lightning fast speed. The second moment got a subtle imprint of the recently preceded one. This sequential change causes the sense of Subtle Witnessing known as the Eternal Witness..."
Regarding the nondual nature of thoughts, or the nature of non-self in relation to thoughts, please read http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-JOCP/jc26559.htm. A little deep, but very clear on the subject and the author clearly has very high level of experience and awakening on this topic
you are making people unwelcome in Wisdom Bliss lor
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What I said there about no-thinker and anatta is one of the main doctrines of Theravada.Originally posted by bohiruci:soemt is a southern school , please refrain from using emptiness teaching
you are making people unwelcome in Wisdom Bliss lor
In fact stressed in Theravada... to constantly experience the arising and passing of each thought and each moment of experience, this is one of the subjects of Vipassana practise. -
Originally posted by An Eternal Now:What I said there about no-thinker and anatta is one of the main doctrines of Theravada.
In fact stressed in Theravada... to constantly experience the arising and passing of each thought and each moment of experience, this is one of the subjects of Vipassana practise. good info as always.
It may be due to the emphasis on other teachings to lay peoples that this practise is overlooked. The meditation teachers will usually emphasise this to more experienced yogis. You can find such teachings form venerable ones such as the late ajahn chah.
There is much that we can learn from others and ourselves. One great advantage of discussion platforms such as a forum. -
Thanks for the concern bro, but love to hear views that i may not be familiar with also, best thing in a forum like this. If you remember also there were a few of us that loved to talk about emptiness back in poly days. Also curious about what concerns are behind the voices.Originally posted by bohiruci:soemt is a southern school , please refrain from using emptiness teaching
you are making people unwelcome in Wisdom Bliss lor much gratitude -
Yes.Originally posted by soemt: good info as always.
It may be due to the emphasis on other teachings to lay peoples that this practise is overlooked. The meditation teachers will usually emphasise this to more experienced yogis. You can find such teachings form venerable ones such as the late ajahn chah.
There is much that we can learn from others and ourselves. One great advantage of discussion platforms such as a forum. But is a very important meditation subject that leads to liberating insights.
Also see the last post in: How to practise Vipassana (Insight Practice) in Daily Lives?
And also see the last posts in How to become a Good Lay Buddhist Disciple?
If you want to be enlightened, a disciple who UNDERSTANDS, it is very important to know the arising and passing as the Buddha himself has said
Venerable Sir, What is a Disciple who Understands?
One who has understanding of emergence & ceasing, which is Noble, decisive,
& which enables eradication of Suffering is a wise Disciple who Understands!
btw, you're invited over by Bohiruci? -
Was reading the THE ZEN TEACHINGS OF BODHIDHARMA overseas and thought of sharing this in this thread:
The sutras say that someone who wholeheartedly invokes the Buddha is sure to be reborn in the Western Paradise. Since is door leads to Buddhahood, why seek liberation in beholding the mind?
If youÂ’re going to invoke the Buddha, you have to do it right. Unless you understand what invoking means, youÂ’ll do it wrong. And if you do it wrong, youÂ’ll never go anywhere.
Buddha means awareness, the awareness of body and mind that prevents evil from arising in either. And to invoke means to call to mind, to call constantly to mind the rules of discipline and to follow them with all your might. This is whatÂ’s meant by invoking. Invoking has to do with thought and not with language. If you use a trap to catch fish, once you succeed you can forget the trap. And if you use language to find meaning, once you find it you can forget language. To invoke the BuddhaÂ’s name you have to understand the Dharma of invoking. If itÂ’s not present in your mind, your mouth chants an empty name. As long as youÂ’re troubled by the three poisons or by thoughts of yourself, your deluded mind will keep you from seeing the Buddha and youÂ’ll only waste your effort. Chanting and invoking are worlds apart, Chanting is done with the mouth. Invoking is done with the mind. And because invoking comes from the mind, itÂ’s called the door to awareness. Chanting is centered in the mouth and appears as sound. If you cling to appearances while searching for meaning, you wonÂ’t find a thing. Thus, sages of the past cultivated introspection and not speech. This mind is the source of all virtues. And this mind is the chief of all powers, The eternal bliss of nirvana comes from the mind at rest. Rebirth in the three realms also comes from the mind. The mind is the door to every world and the mind is the ford to the other shore. Those who know where the door is donÂ’t worry about reaching it. Those who know where the ford is donÂ’t worry about crossing it.